EELS ON TRACK IN TOYOTA CUP FINALS
The Pirtek Parramatta Eels have opened their Toyota Cp Finals campaign with a win, defeating the Penrith Panthers 24 points to 16 at Brookvale Oval.
Nathan Gardner scored 16 of his side’s points, crossing for three tries including the match winner three minutes from full time and also adding two goals.
The Eels came into the match without a win in their two encounters against the Panthers in 2008, but with the inclusion of established First Graders Kris Keating and Tony Williams they had every reason to be confident of a change of fortunes.
And with just seven minutes gone the Eels got the start they were searching for, Trent Hodkinson chipping in behind the defensive line before sending David Baumann on his way to the try line for a six-nil lead.
Anthony Mitchell extended the Eels lead to ten points four minutes later, running 12 metres out of dummy half before stretching out to plant the ball on the line, while a magic cut out from Keating, chiming in from fullback, put Gardner away for a 50 metre try on the quarter hour.
Leading 14-nil after little more than 15 minutes the Eels soon suffered their first blow, a neat cut out putting Panthers winger Sonny Tuigamala over for a converted try to narrow the lead to eight points.
The Eels were next to strike and when it came it was decisive, quick hands down the short side handing Gardner his second four pointer and sending the Eels into the break ahead by 18 points to six.
The Panthers piled on the pressure after the resumption and Matthew Wright ensured they got full advantage, scoring in the corner to reduce the Eels lead to eight at 18-10.
Panthers replacement Jesse Sene-Lefao then made it a two point game, scoring a converted try to take the score along to 18-16 with 23 minutes left to play.
With the tension continuing to mount Gardner soaked up some precious seconds, his 73rd minute penalty goal putting the Eels two points further into the clear as the match wound down.
Four minutes later he’d seal it up, scampering over in the corner for the match winning try, his third for the match.
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